I have no news so I guess that means everything is going well. I have been feeling pretty good. I had some night sweats but not sure if this is related to the medicine or because its Summer time. I will be following up with my Oncologist, Plastic Surgeon, and Cancer doctor in September and October.
Hope everybody is doing well and enjoying their Summer!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
doctor visits
I had a follow up visit (July 9) with my plastic surgeon since I finished my radiation. She said my breasts looked well and there is no scar tissue build up. Yea, that was great news to hear! I will have another visit with her in October. If everything looks well at that time then I will have surgery in November to put on my nipples. It will be an out patient surgery. We reviewed where the skin will be removed from (I have a few options) and the healing process for the surgery. She took more photos to add to my medical folder. Hopefully we will never have to compare the photos and no major changes occur.
I saw my dermatologist (July14) for a full body scan. This is the first one I ever had this done. I had moles removed in the past but now I have have a 5% higher chance for melanoma so a mole check was recommended. The doctor checks every part of your body. My check-up went well and I didn't have any moles that looked abnormal. I will have this procedure done once a year.
I am feeling great and not having any side effects.
I saw my dermatologist (July14) for a full body scan. This is the first one I ever had this done. I had moles removed in the past but now I have have a 5% higher chance for melanoma so a mole check was recommended. The doctor checks every part of your body. My check-up went well and I didn't have any moles that looked abnormal. I will have this procedure done once a year.
I am feeling great and not having any side effects.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
I haven't posted lately because I don't have any new updates. I am feeling good. I am lucky that I have no side effects at this time from the taking the Tamoxifen.
I have formed a team called the Bossom Buddies and we will be walking for an organization called "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer". If you can join our walk or would like to donate for this event please visit my site at:
http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY10National?px=11611219&pg=personal&fr_id=19932
Thank you for all your concerns about my medical condition. I am a survivor and will continue to be monitored my entire life by my doctors. I am a fighter and will continue to fight this awful disease. I am walking because we need to help find a cure for now and for the future! This walk is special to me. I have experience the ups and downs and don't want any more individuals to have to go through all the pain, surgeries, and treatments of this awful cancer that I have experienced. Lets help raise money to educate, help, and find a cure!
I have formed a team called the Bossom Buddies and we will be walking for an organization called "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer". If you can join our walk or would like to donate for this event please visit my site at:
http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY10National?px=11611219&pg=personal&fr_id=19932
Thank you for all your concerns about my medical condition. I am a survivor and will continue to be monitored my entire life by my doctors. I am a fighter and will continue to fight this awful disease. I am walking because we need to help find a cure for now and for the future! This walk is special to me. I have experience the ups and downs and don't want any more individuals to have to go through all the pain, surgeries, and treatments of this awful cancer that I have experienced. Lets help raise money to educate, help, and find a cure!
Monday, June 8, 2009
started Tamoxifen
I started the Tamoxifen last week. I didn't experience any of the major side effects. YEA!!! The only thing I noticed was a little constipation but I was okay by the end of the week. I am also on several vitamins so its hard to know where these reactions are from. I hope this path continues for the remaining five years minus a week.
I had my one month follow up visit with my Radiation Oncologist last Thursday. The visit went well. She said my skin looked good and at this time I don't have any scar tissue which was a concern after radiation. She suggested to massage the area and this can help any scar tissue that can still build up. The only thing she noticed was my skin was drier on the side I had radiation and to make sure I put some cream on it each day. I have to follow up with her next April 2010. I didn't realize that these visits will remain for awhile.
I am feeling great. I will continue to have follow up appointments through out the summer. My next appointment is in July with my plastic surgeon and my cancer surgeon.
I had my one month follow up visit with my Radiation Oncologist last Thursday. The visit went well. She said my skin looked good and at this time I don't have any scar tissue which was a concern after radiation. She suggested to massage the area and this can help any scar tissue that can still build up. The only thing she noticed was my skin was drier on the side I had radiation and to make sure I put some cream on it each day. I have to follow up with her next April 2010. I didn't realize that these visits will remain for awhile.
I am feeling great. I will continue to have follow up appointments through out the summer. My next appointment is in July with my plastic surgeon and my cancer surgeon.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I met with my Oncologist
I met with my Oncologist last week. Just like my other doctors my appointment was running late and we were seen 45 minutes later. I guess thats how it is when I see the best doctors!
We reviewed all my medical history and what treatment would be best for me at this time. The explanation about my cancer tests was referred as molecules/atoms related back to a science class. It was a lot of information but was also confusing.
He explained to my husband and I there will always be a concern for cancer in my body. We will pray and hope there is no recurrence but there is no guarantee for the cancer. My lymph nodes were negative but we don't know if any cells traveled outside my lymph nodes before I was tested. He believes a pet-scan will not benefit me at this time. There is a lot of false positive results which will lead me into a panic mode. If the test was positive then they would test the area which is performed by surgery and 98% of the cases are okay. The MRI did not detect the cancer in my margins before the radiation so performing another MRI would not be wise. He doesn't want to expose me to any extra radiation then I need to have. I will have several tests perform in the future and have many years ahead of me so less radiation at this time is good. He informed me if I have any part of my body that aches or feels abnormal that I need to contact him. He gave an example: if a person who doesn't have cancer might have a back ache and the doctor might advise them to perform some exercise and to check back in 6 weeks. If I have an ache and it doesn't go away in 6 days, he will request a test to verify nothing is wrong.
He asked if I would like to know the prediction about my cancer in the next ten years via a software program he uses. He had to ask because some people don't like to know the future. I would like to be prepared as much as possible so I wanted the results. This graph will be able to pre-dict in 10 years if my cancer would come back with or without using different hormone therapies. The software wasn't working while we were at the office so I received the results in the mail a few days later. The results were the following: if I did not take any medications my risk for relapse will be 13%. If I take Tamoxifen, then my risk would be 7%. This graph is based on my cancer findings which are inputted into this program for example my tumor grade, tumor size, my age and some other factors.
I had to get some blood work so he compare the levels within my body to the near future. I had the blood drawn a few days ago but I don't know the results.
I did received the results back (since I haven't post this blog). My blood count was good, test markers for breast cancer C27 & C29 both were good (nothing showed up at this time but doesn't mean it can't in the future), blood and liver salt good ( I am not sure what this test was, I will have to ask him the next time we speak), my metabolism was verified in an active form which was good (this will allow my blood to absorb the medication well), my vitamin D was low. It was 25 insufficient, 30 is normal so I will be taking a prescription for 6 months and then will be re-tested. Vitamin D has been recently found to help several functions of the body. I will be taking 2,000 mg a day, I believe an individual should have 1,000 a day. (check with your doctor male or female)
We discussed at this time I will take Tamoxifen for five years (will start next week,) and see how I feel. The side effects for the Tamoxifen will start right away. I hope I don't have to many of them! If I am have some side effects like hot flashes that I need to try to cope with them instead of opting out to take the medication. He gave me his cell phone and to call him when I have any questions.
He left it up to me if I would like to remove my ovaries and said that isn't urgent and I can decide with in 3-6 months. He feels that it is good to have a transvagial ultrasound but having this test twice a year may not be enough. Since breast cancer is strongly connected with the ovaries that I might want to consider to have them removed. Estrogen feeds the cancer so if I remove them there is a less of a chance for the cancer to return. When I decide to remove them, I will explain the change in medication at that time.
I have an appointment to see him again in September unless something changes.
Sorry so late for the updates, take care :>
We reviewed all my medical history and what treatment would be best for me at this time. The explanation about my cancer tests was referred as molecules/atoms related back to a science class. It was a lot of information but was also confusing.
He explained to my husband and I there will always be a concern for cancer in my body. We will pray and hope there is no recurrence but there is no guarantee for the cancer. My lymph nodes were negative but we don't know if any cells traveled outside my lymph nodes before I was tested. He believes a pet-scan will not benefit me at this time. There is a lot of false positive results which will lead me into a panic mode. If the test was positive then they would test the area which is performed by surgery and 98% of the cases are okay. The MRI did not detect the cancer in my margins before the radiation so performing another MRI would not be wise. He doesn't want to expose me to any extra radiation then I need to have. I will have several tests perform in the future and have many years ahead of me so less radiation at this time is good. He informed me if I have any part of my body that aches or feels abnormal that I need to contact him. He gave an example: if a person who doesn't have cancer might have a back ache and the doctor might advise them to perform some exercise and to check back in 6 weeks. If I have an ache and it doesn't go away in 6 days, he will request a test to verify nothing is wrong.
He asked if I would like to know the prediction about my cancer in the next ten years via a software program he uses. He had to ask because some people don't like to know the future. I would like to be prepared as much as possible so I wanted the results. This graph will be able to pre-dict in 10 years if my cancer would come back with or without using different hormone therapies. The software wasn't working while we were at the office so I received the results in the mail a few days later. The results were the following: if I did not take any medications my risk for relapse will be 13%. If I take Tamoxifen, then my risk would be 7%. This graph is based on my cancer findings which are inputted into this program for example my tumor grade, tumor size, my age and some other factors.
I had to get some blood work so he compare the levels within my body to the near future. I had the blood drawn a few days ago but I don't know the results.
I did received the results back (since I haven't post this blog). My blood count was good, test markers for breast cancer C27 & C29 both were good (nothing showed up at this time but doesn't mean it can't in the future), blood and liver salt good ( I am not sure what this test was, I will have to ask him the next time we speak), my metabolism was verified in an active form which was good (this will allow my blood to absorb the medication well), my vitamin D was low. It was 25 insufficient, 30 is normal so I will be taking a prescription for 6 months and then will be re-tested. Vitamin D has been recently found to help several functions of the body. I will be taking 2,000 mg a day, I believe an individual should have 1,000 a day. (check with your doctor male or female)
We discussed at this time I will take Tamoxifen for five years (will start next week,) and see how I feel. The side effects for the Tamoxifen will start right away. I hope I don't have to many of them! If I am have some side effects like hot flashes that I need to try to cope with them instead of opting out to take the medication. He gave me his cell phone and to call him when I have any questions.
He left it up to me if I would like to remove my ovaries and said that isn't urgent and I can decide with in 3-6 months. He feels that it is good to have a transvagial ultrasound but having this test twice a year may not be enough. Since breast cancer is strongly connected with the ovaries that I might want to consider to have them removed. Estrogen feeds the cancer so if I remove them there is a less of a chance for the cancer to return. When I decide to remove them, I will explain the change in medication at that time.
I have an appointment to see him again in September unless something changes.
Sorry so late for the updates, take care :>
Saturday, May 16, 2009
misc info
I want to thank everybody for your continued support. I am grateful to have so many of you concerned about my health. The major surgery and radiation is behind me now. I will continue to see my cancer doctor and my plastic surgeon over the next few months before my next surgery. (which probably won't be until November) I am seeing my Oncologist on Monday May 16. I am feeling good. My rash is slowly diminishing and I am not peeling anymore. I will continue to apply the lotions to my skin to help the healing.
I have been so busy with updating about my medical condition that I forget to mention in my blog that I have been attending a support group twice a month since February. My emotions always felt good and strong and I was comfortable talking about my cancer but I enjoyed going to the meetings. I met several nice women who all had a different stories why they were there. It was helpful to attend these classes because the women shared their cancer stories on how they are feeling at their point of their treatment. It was nice to hear from someone else who has been through the situation that you might be coming up too. The best thing I would get from these individuals were suggestions who been through the same situation that I am about to experience.
The support group is on Monday evening every two weeks except for last month it was a 3 week span. I had missed the last two sessions about six weeks and when I went back last week everybody was surprised that I finished my radiation. It didn't seem fast for me but when I haven't seen these individuals they didn't get the latest updates.
The group has one more class left and then will only meet twice this summer. If the same women continue to go, I will continue because you feel a connection to them and want to make sure everybody is healing in a positive direction.
I am going to participate in a Breast Cancer walk in October and will give everybody the information as it gets sooner.
Hope everybody is doing well and feeling great!
I have been so busy with updating about my medical condition that I forget to mention in my blog that I have been attending a support group twice a month since February. My emotions always felt good and strong and I was comfortable talking about my cancer but I enjoyed going to the meetings. I met several nice women who all had a different stories why they were there. It was helpful to attend these classes because the women shared their cancer stories on how they are feeling at their point of their treatment. It was nice to hear from someone else who has been through the situation that you might be coming up too. The best thing I would get from these individuals were suggestions who been through the same situation that I am about to experience.
The support group is on Monday evening every two weeks except for last month it was a 3 week span. I had missed the last two sessions about six weeks and when I went back last week everybody was surprised that I finished my radiation. It didn't seem fast for me but when I haven't seen these individuals they didn't get the latest updates.
The group has one more class left and then will only meet twice this summer. If the same women continue to go, I will continue because you feel a connection to them and want to make sure everybody is healing in a positive direction.
I am going to participate in a Breast Cancer walk in October and will give everybody the information as it gets sooner.
Hope everybody is doing well and feeling great!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Updates
I had my ovaries checked and everything was good. I still need to speak with my OBGYN to verify how often I will be getting them checked.
My skin is a little better, the redness went away. I still have my rash but its slowly going away. I did get a lot of peeling in two areas (top of the breast into my arm pit area and under my breast)that has become sensitive. I continue to apply the creams and hope it gets better soon!
I have an appointment with my Oncologist on May 18. At this time we will have a consultation and I will get my prescription for Tamoxifen.
Thank you for all your support!!!
My skin is a little better, the redness went away. I still have my rash but its slowly going away. I did get a lot of peeling in two areas (top of the breast into my arm pit area and under my breast)that has become sensitive. I continue to apply the creams and hope it gets better soon!
I have an appointment with my Oncologist on May 18. At this time we will have a consultation and I will get my prescription for Tamoxifen.
Thank you for all your support!!!
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